CLEVELAND — Drew Gooden thinks he can be the same kind of relentless rebounder that Carlos Boozer was for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Coach Paul Silas thinks so, too.

“I think it’s just going to be a good fit for him as well as us,” Silas said Wednesday when Gooden was introduced at a news conference. “I think Pax (general manager Jim Paxson) did a great job of working this thing out, and we couldn’t be happier.”

The Cavs needed a power forward after Boozer unexpectedly signed a 6-year, $68 million offer sheet with the Utah Jazz, and the Cavs didn’t have the money to match it.

Gooden, from Richmond and an El Cerrito High graduate, was the key acquisition in last week’s trade that sent forward-center Tony Battie and two second-round draft picks to the Orlando Magic.

The Cavs also got Brazilian rookie forward Anderson Varejao and center Steven Hunter, but it’s Gooden who has to replace Boozer’s points and rebounds.

“I want the ball every time it comes off the rim,” Gooden said. “It’s a passion.”

The 6-foot-10 Gooden

averaged 11.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 79 games — 17 starts — for the Magic last season, when the 6-9 Boozer emerged as one of the NBA’s rising stars.

Boozer averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds and, along with rookie sensation LeBron James, helped Cleveland improve its win total from 17 to 35. Boozer and James are teammates on the U.S. Olympic team.

In comparison to Boozer’s deal, Gooden is a bargain. He’ll make $3.2 million next season, and the Cavaliers can decide whether to pick up a $4 million option for 2005-06.

But can Gooden match Boozer’s numbers?

With Orlando, Gooden recorded a team-high 18 double-doubles, 23 fewer than Boozer got for the Cavaliers.

“There’s no added pressure at all,” Gooden said. “I know Boozer. There is probably pressure from the outside looking in. I know I can come here and do well right away. Booz is a great guy. Unfortunately he couldn’t be here this year, but it opened the door for me and I will take advantage of the opportunity.”

Silas was confident the Cavaliers have found a solid replacement.

“We’re going to put a quality club out here, and I expect nothing but great things from us this season,” Silas said. “We don’t really dwell on what’s been lost, we look at what we’ve gained.”

Before bolting for Utah, Boozer was a fan favorite in Cleveland because of the way he fought for rebounds, battled in the low post and dunked on defenders. Gooden has the same qualities, Silas said.

“He’s relentless and goes after every ball, and that’s what it takes to be a good rebounder, but he’s a good outside shooter. In our system, he’ll fit in very well, because he’ll get a chance to do all those things running the court,” Silas said.

Gooden, who will turn 23 on Sept.24, is looking for a team where he can feel wanted and at ease. Cleveland will be his third team in just his third NBA season. He was drafted No.4 overall by Memphis in 2002 before being traded to Orlando.

In Cleveland, Gooden has been reunited with C.C.

Sabathia from Vallejo, the Cleveland Indians All-Star pitcher who was Gooden’s friend going back about 10 years.

“I’ve known C.C. since I was 13. I played baseball, too, and I was better than C.C., believe it or not,” Gooden said.

Gooden also said he is looking forward to playing with James.

“I’ve known him since he was about 15. To see what he has done in such a short amount of time is amazing,” Gooden said.